Grieving Kelly quits Strictly

Devastated Kelly Brook has quit Strictly Come Dancing following the death of her father.

The BBC said she had decided to leave the ballroom dancing show today.

Brook, 28, attempted to continue rehearsing for the BBC1 show after her father died at the age of 57 on Monday night. He had been suffering from cancer.

The former Big Breakfast host at first decided to keep dancing because her father, Kenneth, would have wanted her to.

But a BBC spokesman said: “Sadly Kelly Brook has taken the decision to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing following the loss of her father this week.

“Kelly has done some training as she had hoped to continue with the show in his memory.

“However, understandably she has found it too difficult. Kelly has been a fantastic part of the programme and she will be sorely missed by everyone on the show who would also like to express their deepest sympathy to Kelly and her family at this difficult time.”

The model and actress has been secretly facing the sadness of her father’s terminal illness while competing in the competition.

Brook, engaged to Titanic actor Billy Zane, has been one of the favourites to win Strictly Come Dancing with her dance partner Brendan Cole, alongside Alesha Dixon and her dancing partner Matthew Cutler.

Saturday’s show is the first time that the couples will be performing two dances.

Brook and Cole were saved from being ejected last week, after the judges threw out former England footballer John Barnes instead.